Children benefit up to the age of 12 years old from prenatal and infancy home visiting by nurses; with reduced substance use,
improved academic performance and reduced mental health problems

Commentary on: KitzmanHJ, OldsDL, ColeRE, et al. Enduring effects of prenatal and infancy home visiting by nurses on children: follow-up of a randomized trial among children
at age 12 years. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med2010;164:412–18.

Research supporting nurse–family partnership

This report of positive impacts on mental health and academic achievement of children at age 12 is the most recent publication
from a highly significant programme of maternal-child health research. The intervention focused on improving pregnancy outcomes,
child health and development and economic self-reliance through semistructured nurse home visits to socioeconomically disadvantaged
first-time mothers from mid-pregnancy through 2 years after birth. Randomised trials in three US cities had similar positive
short- and long-term impacts for mothers and children, with stronger positive impacts for the most disadvantaged group. Based
on ecological theory, attachment theory and self-efficacy, these positive results strongly support these …